Aspen Events – 2012 USA Pro Challenge Bicycle Race in Action

Ok, so I got more than just “helmet shots” at the first Aspen stage of the 2012 USA Pro Challenge Bicycle Race. I also got over my resentment of having my optimum viewing location blocked by the VIP tents.

Even though I still couldn’t see the much-anticipated Aspen events right from in front of my house, only one-half block away from the finish line, I had only to move less than one-half block up the course to find just a little room to get a few decent shots of the events – in particular the women’s Aspen Blue Ribbon Alpine Challenge  race. I did manage to get a couple of decent photos of the men sprinting to the finish line.

Aspen Events – Bicycle Races - Coors Classic to USA Pro Challenge

USA Pro Challenge Bicycle Race -  Aspen Event
Pre-Race view (credit: richpalpine)

Now that the 2012 Aspen Music Festival season has officially come to an end, the town has been focused on the next big event, the 2012 USA ProChallenge premier bicycle race. 

Nicknamed “America’s Race”, this event has created a frenzy of pre-race activity and anticipation in Aspen, as well as all of the other Colorado host cities. For the next, few days, activities in these towns will concentrate on the preparation for and execution of this event, hoping that it will bring some much-desired exposure to the state and what it has to offer outside of  the perhaps better-known winter outdoor activities of skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling.

While an event of this nature is relatively new for many of the hosting Colorado communities, in Aspen it offers the opportunity to resurrect summertime bicycle race glory of bygone days.  Remember the Coors Classic?

LIVE FROM ASPEN - MARS ROVER MISSION STICKS ITS LANDING!

English: Artist's rendering of a Mars Exploration Rover. Français : Vue d'artiste d'un Mars Exploration Rover (litt. « rover d'exploration martienne »). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"We’re Safe On Mars!”

Ok, actually I am safe in Aspen and this blog is supposed to be about Aspen – so why am I writing about the Mars Curiosity Rover?

Although I haven’t yet been able to find any direct ties between Aspen and the current Mars Curiosity Rover mission or the 2012 London Summer Olympics, the concurrence of these momentous events just begged for a post with this title.

ASPEN ACTIVITIES -- COMMUNITY DANCE FEATURING FOXTROT TWO-STEP

My back hurt, my feet ached, and I was exhausted – oh boy did I have a great time at the latest Aspen Community Social Dance! No, really – I had a blast.  The aches and the tiredness resulted from having loads of fun at this dance – I didn’t want to sit down to take a break!

Last Saturday (like every third Saturday of the month), organizers, Junee Kirk and Mel Taylor, and the rest of the crew treated us once again to one of our favorite Aspen activities, the monthly Aspen Community Social Dance, this time preceded by intermediate cha-cha-cha and beginning Foxtrot/Two-step lessons from instructor, Susan Kosch.  A birthday party even broke out!

Unfortunately, we were not able to make it to the cha-cha-cha lesson, but we did arrive in time for the foxtrot/two-step lesson which was great for us  because it not only helped solidify our basic foxtrot steps, but it also allowed us to practice these steps (and turns) to country-western Texas two-step tunes.

ASPEN COLORADO EVENTS & ACTIVITIES - 2012 4TH OF JULY PARADE

Aspen events are always fun and entertaining and the 2012 4th of July was no exception.  One of my favorite activities is the annual Aspen 4th of July parade. Here were some of the highlights:

Some pretty interesting critters were floating around the 2012 Aspen, Colorado 4th of July parade

Created with flickr slideshow.  More 4th of July Parade 2012 Photos from Aspen, Colorado   (Love having the front-row view!)

Aspen, colorado 4th of july parade 2012

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WILDFIRE IN ASPEN? INFORMATION - PREVENTION – PREPARATION

A Type 2 Incident Management Team takes control of a fire emergency. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wildfire prevention, preparation, and emergency plan funding and execution were the themes at a recent emergency Aspen City Council meeting called by Aspen Mayor, Mick Ireland.

Pitkin County Sheriff and Incident Response Team Leader, Joe DiSalvo, referring to the roles of Pitkin County and the City of Aspen, stressed that during the first 24 hours of a wildfire emergency, “We are responsible”. 

Mayor Ireland assured the sheriff and other attendees that the local incident response teams will, “have the funds to do whatever is necessary”, in the event of an actual emergency, and then opened discussion regarding additional, specific funding for public outreach about the danger and what one can do to be prepared.

Sheriff DiSalvo, Aspen Fire Marshal Ed Van Walraven, White River National Forest Public Affairs Officer Bill Kight, and several other area officials discussed the wildfire issue in some detail. 

They outlined the current fire conditions in the county, the history of wildfires in the Aspen and surrounding area, the city and county’s emergency response structure and current level of preparedness, and steps they have taken to inform the public about the current fire danger, including what preventative and preparatory measures individuals and entities can take to be ready for a local wildfire emergency.  They also relayed their personal experiences in this arena.

White River National Forest Public Affairs Officer Bill Kight said that he, like many people, used to think that having to be evacuated would never happen to him. After experiencing it twice himself, he now knows it can happen to anyone at any time.

ASSORTED ASPEN FLOWERS - YELLOW ROSES OF ASPEN JUNE 2012

The Yellow Roses of Aspen.  Just like everything else, they arrived early this year but were as spectacular as usual!

Yellow Roses of Aspen, June 2012 - Assorted Aspen Yard Flowers (Photo credit: richpalpine)

Assorted Aspen - Yellow Roses of Aspen June, 2012 (Photo credit: richpalpine)